Thrift Tour: All Mixed Up

Last weekend I had the pleasure of having back to back meet ups with Lydia and Megan. We've found that last minute planning always works for us for whatever reason. We ended up at our favorite place to go for great deals, Coco's of Madison. Since it was closing it's doors, everything was $5.00. Yes, you read right.  How in our right minds could we pass that up? We made sure to get there right when the doors opened to make sure that we beat the crowds and to get first dibs on some affordable designer pieces. After trying on a leather/tulle Dolce & Gabbana skirt that sadly had a broken zipper, among other items I was scrambling desperately to find SOMETHING!! I walked around several times, until I ended up taking home a pair of taupe slingback Seychelle's platform sandals. Phew! I was having one of those days where  I would've hated to go home empty handed.  Even though the store was closing, we can still visit their sister store Coco's on the Green.

Lydia then led our group to a new to us store called Cinderella's Attic. It will definitely be one of our places to hit when we get together, I can tell. They had a great selection of clothing and some surprising clearance items that were sadly not any of our shoe sizes. I was very content with not purchasing anything after trying on several things, when I found the most perfect orange/coral button down blouse. Why is it that I find things just when I'm about to leave?

Megan checking out what's good for lunch.

Megan and Lydia making sure the photos are just right.

We then headed to the next town over in Guilford for lunch. Of course a day with these gals is not complete without outfit photos.  These were all taken by our lovely photographer, Lydia.

top: tjmaxx / cardigan: merona / jeans: f21 / shoes: nordstrom rack

bracelets: alex & ani / rings: peter indorf / midi ring: urban outfitters

  Our last stop was supposed to be TJMaxx. For whatever reason Megan and I ended up at a different location than Lydia, at least four towns apart so we had to cut our meet up short. That's ok though, because I'm sure that the next time we do one of our meet ups slash budget friendly shopping tours we will be more planful...right? Maybe? Oh heck, who am I kidding.

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Can We Go Thrift Shopping?

If you didn't already know, I have a passion for finding great treasures especially at a thrift store.  The thrill of getting a great find at a fantastic price is exciting.  I also like seeing different things and endless possibilities.  Here's just a few snapshots of a few things I found at my last trip.  I didn't get them, but I am sure that someone will find them an enjoy them! 

Have you gone thrifting lately?  What is your most recent purchase?  I don't know about you but I have a feeling I might be hitting the thrift after being cooped up too long these past few days.

Snow Day Thrifting

So mother nature gave us another whopper this week.  This time it was a nor'easter.  The weatherman wasn't quite specific of how much "dusting" of snow we were going to get and when the rain would actually begin (which we saw none of).  It was a nerve wrecking drive home from work which took me about an hour, and normally takes me ten minutes.  Morning after the snow, there was some shoveling involved.  I then treated myself to a latte and some thrifting.  A great snow day.

Stopped by for a latte and got it in the red cup. 

Seems like everyone is ready for the holidays, even the thrift shops!

I found a cute mug that Lydia of Chic on the Cheap would appreciate.

Ralph Lauren wool blazer; too bad it was a wee small on me.

Purchased: Leather clutch/wallet.  Of course I need one...I meant another one.

Purchased: Black leather belt with wide buckle.

Purchased: Gap straight leg pants w/tags and the extra button.

Purchased: Betsey Johnson pashmina still w/ plastic tag

Purchased: Facconnable black pencil skirt

I must say that I was pretty happy with my purchase seeing that I spent about $25.00 for all five items.  It definitely could have been more but I had to put some back.  I don't even know what my favorite piece is because I'm pretty excited about all of them.  Even though it didn't cost me much to buy these, a stop at the dry cleaners is a must for the skirt and the pashmina!

This weekend is supposed to be "nice" and I hope that the weatherman is right this time because I actually have some plans this weekend.

Happy Friday!

Thrifting With Bloggers

Last minute plans are great when they work out, don't they?  This past weekend Lydia of Chic on the Cheap, Megan of Closet Fashionista, and I decided to go check out some of the great places in Lydia's neck of the woods.  She took us first to an awesome consignment shop (named after a cute little doggie) named Coco's on the Green.  It was a great little store that had quality name brand pieces not to mention their tent sale in the back of the building.  Surprisingly out of all the racks and racks in the store, a black Ann Taylor tote caught my eye.  I resisted from buying it because seriously, do I need another black bag?!  I can't even tell you how many I have.  Go ask my husband.  No, actually don't.  We then ventured off to SARAH's Cupboard Thrift Shop and it was filled with everything that you can think of.  I was very close to purchasing a beer stein.  Very close.  I'm sad that I didn't take a picture of it since I was holding on to it inside the store for most of the time we were there.

the black tote bag that I was eyeing; blue tag deal heels
halloween decor at the last stop; cute downtown area

Then on our final and last stop, I finally found something to buy! Practically new Nine West heels that were half priced because it was a "blue tag day"!  Holler!  Lydia found some very bold leopard print pants that were also blue tagged.  It so happens that we were such big spenders that we both spent nine bucks plus tax on our purchases.  Megan didn't buy anything but she did spot several pieces that were very drool worthy such as an Hermes scarf and Prada ankle boots.  

Of course a day with these ladies would not be complete without a little photo shoot thanks to Lydia for always being so prepared with her handy tripod and camera.   

jacket: H&M (old)

blouse: Olive & Oak

jeans: Vigoss

bag: Perlina

loafers: Candies

Yes, that's me.

Lydia of Chic on the Cheap

Megan of Closet Fashionista

Megan and I ready to pose.

Lydia, Meg, and I

We tried a "jumping" shot..so it didn't quite work out.  Spirit fingers anyone?!

Ok this one worked better...for Megan who is definitely off the ground!

After three stores, and a little photo shoot we all decided to have a bite to eat at Donovan's Reef where they had a tasty selection for dinner.  It was a tough call.  Megan and I both had the fish n' chips and Lydia had the mashed potato truffle pizza (I'm ordering that next time).  And last but not least we stopped at Ashley's (the best ice cream in my opinion) to end the day.

It's always fun to hang out with these ladies.  Hurrah to last minute shopping trips and to future meet-ups.  Thanks to Lydia for taking us on a little tour of her part of CT.  It's nice to visit places that I don't really go to, especially with someone who knows the area.  Check out Lydia's and Megan's blogs for their write up of our meet-up!

Turn to the Left, Fashion!

I don't categorize myself as a style blogger.  There are so many of you out there and I am by no means going trying to claim myself as one.  I do however love fashion, trends, and shopping.  I love reading about it, get excited about it, and try to recreate it.  Shopping for the real deal off the runway, off the rack - fughettaboutit!  This is where my bargain hunting and sewing skills come in.  I stalk clothing at stores and wait for it to go on sale, or get similar affordable pieces compared to those seen on magazines.  I visit thrift stores to find what could be on trend that is a fraction of the price and maybe make some alterations.  Either way, I make it work for me and my itty bitty budget.  I've been asked what is my fashion style and recently I have been more open to patterns and prints but still stick to simple shapes and colors from time to time.

Some of my blogger friends who do outfit of the days would be proud of me for posting this...
this is as close as it's going to get - for now! haha  Baby steps.
What about you?  What's your fashion style and how do you accomplish your trademark "look"? 

Granny Wardrobe Challenge

I was asked by Tori of My Thrifty Chic to do a Wardrobe Challenge: Granny Re-do.  First and foremost, if you like to be stylish and budget friendly then you want to keep up with Tori's blog which is full of outfit and fashion posts that won't hurt your wallet at all.  One of my favorite features in her blog is her outfit posts where almost everything she wears comes from a second hand store or thrift shop.  I think that's amazing.  That takes a lot of time, patience, and an "eye" for key pieces.  I'd love to go shopping with her one day!
The granny re-do challenge: get something from your grandmother's closet (or something vintage and thrifted) and re-make it into something modern.  I do not consider myself a fashion blogger at all, however, I do love fashion; clothes, shoes, accessories, you name it.  Needless to say I accepted the challenge, and took the opportunity to use my newly discovered sewing skills to make a dress from two different vintage shirts that I bought from the Goodwill and Salvation Army.  You might recognize one of the shirts from my thrift tour post.  Please take the time to check out what my other fellow bloggers did for this wardrobe challenge!

I cut off the top part of the orange shirt and attached the bottom half to the bottom of the cream shirt.  I took in a few inches on both sides and then ended up with my very own color block dress that looks very similar to those seen in magazines.  I'm quite pleased with my end result.  Mission accomplished.

Franco Sarto leopard print pumps

Thrifted clutch / F21 feather necklace

L Chico's bracelet, thrifted mesh ring/ R Nordstrom BP owl ring, Target watch

Check out these fashionable ladies who participated in the Granny Re-Do Challenge:

Top Left: Katie from - Hems for Her

Top Center: [ME] Christine from - Dela Chic 

Top Right: Kari from - Style at a Steal 

Bottom Left: Melissa from - The Key to Chic 

Bottom Middle: Tori from - My Thrifty Chic 

Bottom Right: Megan from - The Frugalista Diaries


Thanks so much Tori for the opportunity to do the wardrobe challenge! I had a lot of fun with it.

I'm Not A Bag Snob

Just ask my husband.  I am definitely not a bag snob.  I love bags.  Small, humongous, tiny, in-between, shoulder bags, totes, clutches, satchels, cross-body, leather, patent leather, crocheted, black, brown, yellow, turquoise... I can go on and on and on.  Just ask my husband.

This is the story: It first caught my eye when I was at the cashier's counter paying for my silk blouses at the thrift store.  I asked the lady if I could see it since it was hanging on a rack behind her.  It was $16.00 and definitely authentic [I'm not a pro authenticator, but just saw the serial number].  Then I thought that I really don't need it because I just won an auction on eBay for a similar bag.  I decided to leave it.  I walked away and tried to justify not getting it.  I'll leave it for someone else who will appreciate it as much as I did.  Plus, what would I need with two vintage Coach bags? Right?  And then.... I needed to get something at the same store a few days after.  Went to the cash register and there it was again.  The same bag still hanging on the same rack behind the cash register.  It was meant to be.  Without hesitation I bought it.  That was it.  I can definitely say that I don't have this one.  I also checked online to make sure that the bag from eBay is NOT the same as this one.  So it's all good.  My reasons are justified.  This is a leather navy blue City messenger Coach bag.  This classic line started during the late 1980's and is still currently being sold at the stores and the Coach online website for more than a hundred dollars. 
And that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  

With a little saddle soap, my new to me Coach bag got it's old shine back.  Sometimes I just want a smaller bag when I'm out doing errands that can hold just the necessities.  No need for my planner (yes, I have a planner where I write inside) or my other cosmetic/necessities case, and my pens and extra phone charger.  They all can stay in my work bag. This bag just makes it easier to do things, like go to the grocery store or thrifting?

Renewed Jewelry Box

I found this beautiful wooden carved jewelry box made in India at the Goodwill.  Check out the price.  Yea, it was a little dirty, and needed some cleaning, but that was easy to fix.  

[before]

[after]

A little pledge and elbow grease cleaned it right up and made it as good as new!  Then I had to cover up the inside with some new felt.  I thought turquoise would be the perfect color.  Now it's ready to hold some jewels.  Time to find something old, clean it up, fix it up, and use it again.